Voice Recap: Sugar Daddy, She's Comin for You

Does anyone actually care what happened on this week’s The Voice results-show telecast? No, that’s not (entirely) my bitter commentary on the producers’ annoying decision to place most of our collective viewer power back in the hands of the judges — who got to cut one of their final four singers on Monday, and then were able to choose between their two lowest vote-getters on Tuesday, as America’s top choice sailed through to fight another week.

Rather, I’m wondering if anyone could focus on anything other than Justin Bieber dropping by for a “surprise” visit to premiere a snippet of his new video, “Boyfriend.” [Insert eardrum-shattering squeal here.] Let me repeat that in my best Oprah Winfrey bellow: JUSTIN! BIEBER! VIDEO! SNIPPET! PREMIEEEREEE! Not only that, we were treated to the “musical” stylings of five rakish gentlebots who came from the same supersecret factory in Uppsala, Sweden, that produced the Bieb. (Okay, maybe I’m just being bitchy because I’m jealous of their hair.)

Voice host Carson Daly — who it should be said, will never win an acting Emmy — pretended to “spontaneously” invite Bieber back to peform on The Voice finale, as if everything that happens on The Voice and everything that happens in the life of Justin Bieber, isn’t carefully conceived, planned, and executed at least six months in advance.

In any event, the evening’s other noteworthy moment came when Xtina failed to forcefully and succinctly explain why she cut early fave Jesse Campbell after his self-immolating rendition of “Halo” on Monday. “I am no stranger to controversy, and I am okay with that,” she declared, before she heard someone in the crowd shout “I love you,” and she was forced to assume the fetal position, pop her thumb in her mouth, and babble like a baby . I wish she’d just said, “Did you guys hear him on Monday? Dude was not on pitch, and honestly, his ‘What a Wonderul World’ two weeks ago wasn’t all that, either!”

But enough about the Passion of the Xtina, let’s talk results:

TEAM XTINAVoted Through by America
Chris Mann (oh, America, when did you develop an unseemly taste for runaway vibrato?)

Last-Chance PerformancesLindsey Pavao: Mike Posner’s “Please Don’t Go” — This was like the most musical kitten-mewling ever. And I think I mean that in a positive way? In any event, it made Xtina cry, and you know with the amount of makeup girlfriend wears, she’s not one to fake her tears.

Ashley de la Rosa: Lady Gaga’s “You and I” — Not sure the deliberately staccato, guitar-fueled pace added much to Haley Reinhart Gaga’s hit, nor did it provide much of a vocal showcase for young Ashley. But come on: This underdog was indisputably the best of Monday’s eight performances. Shouldn’t that be enough for the save?

Xtina’s Save
Lindsey Pavao

TEAM BLAKEVoted Through by America
Jermaine Paul (brace yourselves, Voice fans: more melodies will be brutalized in the coming weeks!)

I love the “IDEA” of this show, season 1 was entertaining. But season 2 – I simply cannot make myself listen to the constant talking, we all understand how special everyone is and how the judges don’t want to make a choice, but this is a competition. There are thousands of talented singers out there and only “1” winner (each show/each season), which means unfortunately everyone else must be cut. We all know that there will be many other opportunities for them in their lifetime, this just may not be their time. Please judges, get to the point quickly, and I do appreciate the more positive energy of this show. I am bothered by those that go for the sympathy factor. Life “IS” indeed about overcoming struggles, and for some it may be on a daily basis (I mean no disrespect to anyone), but in the end don’t you want to know that you were chosen on your own merits? I have enormous respect for those who tell their story after the fact. But once again, It would be wonderful If we could just hear more singing.

Everyone on these shows are awesome singers, they just don’t always appeal to everyone and there is nothing wrong with that. So many bloggers are so harsh with their judgements. Couldn’t everyone just say, “It is not something that I would listen to”, what if that were your sister/bother/child up there? If you really sit back and listen to music, some of the most famous and popular songs do not necessarily have the most talented singers.